Sun-Dream Preview

The Atlanta Dream are still atop the Eastern Conference, but their margin for error continues to shrink with their recent skid.

They'll try to avoid their longest losing streak in six years Tuesday when they host the last-place Connecticut Sun.

Atlanta (15-9) is the conference's only team above .500, but has dropped four in a row after winning 12 of 14, letting second-place Washington close within three games.

The last three losses have coincided with the absence of head coach Michael Cooper, who has been on medical leave after being diagnosed with tongue cancer. He underwent successful surgery Thursday.

The Dream suffered a 77-67 road loss to the Mystics on Sunday with the offense again struggling. They were 28 of 75 (37.3 percent) from the floor while scoring fewer than 76 points for the third time in four games. Atlanta averages an East-best 81.9 points.

Angel McCoughtry -- one of the league's top four scorers with 19.3 points per game -- was 5 of 17 with 12 points and is shooting 32.8 percent over her last three.

"We just have to find our focus again and get back on track," acting head coach Karleen Thompson said. "I know (the players) are going through stuff right now, but that's not even an excuse."

Atlanta hasn't dropped five in a row since a 10-game skid from July 18-Sept. 8, 2008, but should be much more comfortable at home where the club is 10-3.

The Sun (10-16) are 3-10 on the road and have lost 10 of 12 overall following Sunday's 76-65 loss to Minnesota. Connecticut also turned in a woeful shooting performance, shooting 32.9 percent from the floor while going 4 for 19 from 3-point range. The starting backcourt of Katie Douglas and Alex Bentley was a combined 7 of 27.

"I was pleased tonight that we didn't lose our focus defensively," coach Anne Donovan said. "Too often in our past we have not knocked shots down and the game gets away from us. I liked what we did. We just didn't knock shots down."

These clubs split two earlier meetings with each team winning at home. Atlanta took an 83-71 victory on July 8 with McCoughtry scoring 22 points while Connecticut was 29 of 74 from the field (39.2 percent). Both teams committed 20 turnovers.

McCoughtry was 2 of 14 for a season-worst seven points in an 85-76 road loss on June 1.